The main contractor of The National Children’s Hospital has denied claims that the project will not be completed until 2024.
David Gunning, the head of the state body responsible for developing the hospital, spoke at the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee yesterday.
He said that the construction of the hospital is far behind schedule, and is unlikely to be finished by the most recent target of 2022 due to delays and spiralling costs.
It is said that COVID-related shutdowns, along with various construction delays and disputes, have pushed back the project.
But BAM, the main contractor for the National Children’s Hospital has said that it “rejects” accusations that it is “under-performing” on the project.
The company said the maximum number of workers allowed on site due to COVID guidelines are still working on the project in regards to the restrictions.
But Mr Gunning criticised BAM yesterday, saying the “main driver” for the delays that have led to only 20% of the project being completed to date.
He also slammed as "inordinate" the 700 contractor claims amounting to €300m in associated costs for equipment and IT that have been lodged, pushing the expected cost of the project well beyond the €1.4 billion previously forecast.
A spokesperson for BAM said “new amendments are being added all the time” resulting in the need of new materials and “changes to entire work programmes."
They added that it is essential to inform the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board of every event which might give rise to an additional cost or delay.
“There have been almost 10,000 new drawings (including mechanical and electrical drawings) since GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) stage in January 2019.”
The spokesperson said that it rejects the suggestion that its work programme updates have not been compliant with its contract with the NPHDB.
They said its current work programme has more than 27,000 individual activities, compared to January 2019 which had roughly 16,000 activities.
They added that it remains “committed” to delivering the hospital, which has been in the works for over 25 years, “as quickly and efficiently as possible provided the current difficulties can be overcome".
“Significant progress is currently being made and we are fast approaching the ‘topping out’ of the project where construction will have reached its highest point."
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